Auto transporting passenger train car

ABSTRACT

A railroad car adapted to transport a number of autos and passengers including side loading arrangements for the autos and a lifting means on the railroad car to lift the autos for dual level storage. A passenger compartment, separated from the auto storage area, is provided on one of the levels. The lifting means involves a ramp with one end pivotally connected to an upper level and the other end movable between an upper and lower level.

United States Patent Warren July 1, 1975 [541 AUTO TRANSPORTING PASSENGER TRAIN 3,557,712 1/1971 Milenkovic 105/368 R CAR 3,584,584 6/1971 Milenkovic 105/368 R [76] Inventor: George A. Warren, 80 South St.,

Shrewsbury, Mass. 01545 [22] Filed: Jan. 18, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 434,396

[52] US. Cl 105/368 R [51] Int. Cl. 861d 1/06 [58] Field of Search 105/366, 368 R, 368 B, 105/455, 3, 4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,695,568 1l/l954 Keith 105/368 R 2,959,262 11/1960 Parker et a1. 105/368 R X 3,228,352 l/1966 Johnson 1 105/368 R 3,285,194 ll/1966 Clesan 105/368 R X 3,503,340 3/1970 Warren 105/368 B Primary Examinerl\/l. Henson Wood, Jr.

Assistant ExaminerGene A. Church Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Norman S. Blodgett; Gerry A. Blodgett [57] ABSTRACT A railroad car adapted to transport a number of autos and passengers including side loading arrangements for the autos and a lifting means on the railroad car to lift the autos for dual level storage. A passenger compartment, separated from the auto storage area, is pro vided on one of the levels. The lifting means involves a ramp with one end pivotally connected to an upper level and the other end movable between an upper and lower level,

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEQ JUL 1 I975 SHEET FIG. 6

AUTO TRANSPORTING PASSENGER TRAIN CAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Long distance travel by automobile is viewed as a problem not only by travelers but also those concerned with public safety and efficient use of our dwindling natural resources. A major drawback to the use of mass transit systems as a substitute in long distance travel is that the traveler cannot take his automobile along for use at the other end of the trip. This desire to take the auto along is important to a sufficient number of people to render commercially successful at the present time at least one rail operation that offers private auto trans port.

One key to any future large-scale success of the autocarrying train is an effective design for the train car. In this respect, several factors become significant. The first problem is protecting the autos from damage due to flying debris and shock while in transit. The use of open cars with standard suspensions as presently used to transport new cars is limited, since reliance on preand post-transport inspection and servicing to remedy any damage is not practical in this respect.

Another problem involves that of integrating auto and passenger service, either by separate or by combination cars. If the latter is choosen, access to passenger sections and the degree of isolation between passenger section and the car storage section are factors.

Still another serious limitation on car design involves dimensions not only for the point of view of track clearances, but also from the point of view of dynamic stability of the train car in motion. Cars in which autos are carried with their lengths arranged transversely to the track have trouble with side clearance on existing rightof-ways. Cars built with multi-levels often have trouble, not only with overhead clearance, but also with top heaviness on curves.

Another consideration is the manner in which the autos are loaded and unloaded from the cars, especially in the case of multi-level cars. Because of the emphasis on simplicity of construction and low cost, the present most popular design is little more than the auto transporter mentioned above. These train cars load and unload through the ends, using external ramps. To use this equipment, the train cars must be disconnected, moved to a specially-designed loading area, and loaded carefully by skilled operators. The result is a lack of flexibility of use, and the introduction of considerable time delays.

Various more complex and more expensive alternatives to the traditional configuration have been suggested in the past. Most of these designs include a fairly complex self-contained elevator for lifting the cars from the lower to the upper level, and at least one design avoids the problems of end loading by using a selfcontained turntable to allow side loading (see patent to Demarest US. Pat. No. 2,146,203 issued Feb. 7, 1973). These alternatives are complex, costly and require skilled operation.

These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a railroad car suitable for carrying both passengers and autos safely and conveniently.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a railroad car for carrying autos in which side access is made practical for standard gauge track, thereby eliminating the problems of end loading.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a railroad car having several levels for carrying autos in which a simplified substitute for the auto elevator is provided.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a railroad car which can be easily and quickly loaded and unloaded with autos without disconnecting the car from the train or for utilizing complex external equipment.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a railroad car for the transportation of autos and passengers in which all areas outside of the passenger area are useable for storage of automobiles.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention involves a railroad car adapted to form one of a string of cars for transporting autos and passengers in a train, comprising an elongated bed supported on draft gear, first and second storage levels for a plurality of autos over the bed, and a lifting ramp for moving autos between the first level and the second level. More specifically, the lifting ramp is hingedly connected at one end to the second level, and the other end is movable between the first and second level. Access to the first level from the outside is through a side doorway with a drawbridge-type door.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a railroad car embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the railroad car in partial section,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the railroad car, taken along the line IIIIII in FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the railroad car, taken along the line IVIV in FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the railroad car, taken along the line V-V in FIG. 2,

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a winch system used in the present invention, and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of two railroad cars joined demonstrating loading and unloading procedures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 2, wherein are best shown the general features of the present invention, the railroad car, indicated generally by the numeral 10, is shown as including an elongated bed Ill supported on draft gear such as dollies 12. A first deck 13 is mounted on the bed and a second deck I4 is supported over the first deck with a sheet metal skin I5 enclosing the decks. In this embodiment, the car shown is actually a symmetrical half of a larger structure connected and articulated at diaphragm 16. This half will be described as a sepa- 3 rate car. it being understood that the other half is its mirror image The" bed ll is about'eighty-one feet long andlow slung in the center. Each end has standard couples 17 and diaphragms. I v I i The first deck 13 generally follows the conto of the bed- 11, but with reduced slopes. The deck extends to each of the ends l8 and' 19 of the car. Each end of the car is provided with access doors 20 for passengers and sets of stairs 21 from deck 14'.

Midway down each-side of the car are doorways 22 (see FIG. 1) of about 6 feet 3 inches in height and 21 feet in width. The threshold of the doorways are at the level of the first deck 13. 1

Pivotally mountedat its lower edge ineach doorway 22,' is a door 23which can be lowered as a drawbridgetype loading ramp by means of cables'24 and a which 25 beneaththe second deck. 5

Supported above the first deck 13 is the second deck 1.4.- Thesecond deck 14 is divided into two parts; a car storage portion 26 and a passenger portion 27. The portions are separated from one another by two boxlike rooms 28 attached to the opposed walls (see FIG. 3). to form a narrow corridor between the portions.

the first deck 13 to the second The rooms not only. act to'isolate the portions, and

- first end 31. and the opposite free end 32 is movable be:

tween the level of the first deck 13 and the level of the second deck 14. The movement is accomplished by a cable 33 and winch 25.

FIG. vl shows the exterior appearance of the railroad car 10..

FlG. 3 shows the lay-out the second level or deck 1,4.1Theppening 29 and the lifting ramp are positioned in the autostorage portion 26 and the passenger portion'27 is separated from the storage portion by rooms 28.

FIG. 4 shows the closed end 18 of the railroad car, and FIG. 5 shows the open end 19, including the doors 23 and the Winch 25. 6 ,y r

FIG, 6 shows the winch 25, including the control box 34, motor 35, and cable take-up reels 36, 37, 3 8, 39, 40, and 41. The control box is connecte'd'to the remaindr of the winch 'by cable 42. The motor'35 includes a drive shaft 43 extending fromopposed ends of the motor 35. The take-up reels are concentrically and slidably mounted on the drive shaft43 and can be fixed to the shaft by clutch elements 44. Take-up reels 36 and 41 handle the cable 33 to move the lifting ramp, and take-up reels37,,38, 39, and handle the cable 24 to operate the doors 23.

The operation of the present invention will now be readily understood in view of the above description.

FlG.'7-shows the railroad cars ready for loading and unloading. Two cars'l0are connected and articulated the doorways 22 at an angle to the length of the cars 10 .and turned so that their lengths are parallel to those of the cars 10.

Normally the'first cars loaded would be driven to the second level 14' by proceeding up the lifting ramp 30 while it is in its lowered position. One caris lefton the lifting ramp 30 and the lifting ramp is moved to its upper position by the winch 25.,The first deck is then loaded. "In unloading, the order of steps is reversed.

Access to the passenger portion'27 is provided by doors and stairs both from the loading level and from adjacent cars.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departingfrom the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly comewithin the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described. what is claimed as new and desired tosecure by Letters Patent is: r 3

' l. A railroad car adapted to form one of a series of cars for transporting vehicles and passengers in a train, comprising: I w

a. an elongated bed supportedon draft gear, b. first and second storage levels for a pluralityof .autos over the bed, c.a lifting ramp, entirely within the car, the ramp a having a first end hingedly connected to the second level, and a first end movable between the first and second level, and d. a first means for moving the second end of-the ramp between the, first level and the second level.

2. A railroad car as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the second level is adapted to transport passengers by provision of a passenger compartment.

3. A railroad car as recited'in claim 1, wherein. drivein, access for vehicles from a loading dock to the first level is provided through an opening injhe side of the car. I

4. A railroad car as recited in claim 3, wherein the opening is provided with a door which is also-useful as aloading ramp, the door being pivotally mounted at its lower edge to the car.

5. A railroad car as recited in claim 4, wherein the second level is divided into two portions by a pair of box-like rooms.

6 6. A railroad car as recited in claim 4, wherein a winch is provided having a motor driven drive shaft and a' plurality of take-up reels engageable from time to time with the drive shaft.

7. A railroad car as recited in claim 1,.wherein the and a lower portion and loading takes place in the lower portion. 

1. A railroad car adapted to form one of a series of cars for transporting vehicles and passengers in a train, comprising: a. an elongated bed supported on draft gear, b. first and second storage levels for a plurality of autos over the bed, c. a lifting ramp, enTirely within the car, the ramp having a first end hingedly connected to the second level, and a first end movable between the first and second level, and d. a first means for moving the second end of the ramp between the first level and the second level.
 2. A railroad car as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the second level is adapted to transport passengers by provision of a passenger compartment.
 3. A railroad car as recited in claim 1, wherein drive-in access for vehicles from a loading dock to the first level is provided through an opening in the side of the car.
 4. A railroad car as recited in claim 3, wherein the opening is provided with a door which is also useful as a loading ramp, the door being pivotally mounted at its lower edge to the car.
 5. A railroad car as recited in claim 4, wherein the second level is divided into two portions by a pair of box-like rooms.
 6. A railroad car as recited in claim 4, wherein a winch is provided having a motor driven drive shaft and a plurality of take-up reels engageable from time to time with the drive shaft.
 7. A railroad car as recited in claim 1, wherein the first level is divided into two portions, a higher portion and a lower portion and loading takes place in the lower portion. 